National Science Foundation (NSF)

Astronomy & Astrophysics Classroom Resources

This collection of lessons and web resources is aimed at classroom teachers, their students, and students' families.

PBS Learning Media: Earth and Space Science Resource: Educator (filterable by grade preK-12)
https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/subjects/science/earth-and-space-science/
PBS and PBS member stations have curated free, standards-aligned videos, interactives, lesson plans, and more for teachers. The resources are organized for browsing by subject or by grade.

ComPADRE Pathway for Physics and Astronomy Education Communities Resource: Educator (grades K-12)
http://www.compadre.org
The ComPADRE Digital Library is a network of free online resource collections for faculty, college students, and teachers in Physics and Astronomy education. The site offers online discussions and tutorials for students, resources for physics and astronomy teachers in grades K-12, research for college faculty and information on available learning opportunities.

Bad Astronomy Resource: General Public
http://www.badastronomy.com/index.html
Maintained by astronomer Phil Plait, this website is devoted to airing out myths and misconceptions in astronomy and related topics. Plait calls himself an astronomer, teacher, lecturer and all-around science junkie.

Eyes on the Sky and Feet on the Ground Resource: Educator (grades K-6) and Parents
http://hea-www.harvard.edu/ECT/the_book/index.html
This website promotes an understanding of the scientific process of investigation and includes suggestions for discussions before and after explorations. There are lesson plans for hands-on activities broken into six chapters with activities and step=by-step instructions. The site, though last updated in 1998, has been called a valuable resource for teaching inquiry-based science.

NASA STEM Engagement Resource: Educators and Students
https://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/about/index.html
This NASA website delivers tools for young Americans and educators. The site seeks to increase K-12 involvement in NASA projects, enhance higher education, support underrepresented communities, strengthen online education and boost NASA's contribution to informal education. There are special pages for educators, students and NASA Kids' Club.

Amazing Space Resource: Educator (grades 6-8) and General Public
http://amazing-space.stsci.edu
The Amazing Space website promotes the science and majestic beauty of the universe for use in the classroom. Content developed for educators and learners of all ages is accurate, classroom-friendly, visually appealing, and carefully crafted to adhere to accepted educational standards. By sharing Hubble Space Telescope's greatest discoveries, learners of all ages will enjoy learning about the universe and gain an even greater understanding of it in the future.

Understanding NSF Research: Astronomy & Astrophysics Resource: All Audiences
https://www.nsf.gov/news/overviews/astronomy/index.jsp
For more than 60 years, NSF has significantly advanced the understanding of the universe as the federal steward for ground-based astronomy. Among other things, NSF support helps astronomers identify new exoplanets, capture the origins of galaxies and explore the mysteries of dark energy and black holes, all of which provide vital training for next generation researchers. This website offers a sample of some of NSF's most noteworthy observatories.